Acadie-Bathurst defenseman Luc Deschenes scores Titan second goals photo courtesy of Jonathan L’Heureux of infosportquebec
QUEBEC CITY, P.Q.—Playing the second game of six home games, their longest in season, after losing against Blainville-Boisbriand and trailing by two 3-1 in the second period Quebec replied scoring five unanswered goals to come from behind and seal Acadie-Bathurst fate with a 6-3 win. Olivier Garneau and Philipp Kurashev with two goals each and Yanick Turcotte with two assists took charge of Quebec offense.
Acadie-Bathurst struck first when Titan left winger Christophe Boivin beat Quebec goaltender Callum Booth to his right side at even strength at 5:53 for his 12th goal of the regular season. Missing last five games with leg injury.
The visitors added a second goal with 5:35 remaining in opening period. Titan defenseman Luc Deschenes’ wrist shot from blue line surprised Quebec netminder high right side. A screened Booth didn’t have a chance.
Trying to get some emotion in the game on Quebec side Quebec left winger Alexandre Drapeau dropped his gloves against Acadie-Bathurst defenseman Nicola Dumoulong. Slight advantage to Titan defenseman.
5- Acadie-Bathurst new acquisition goaltender Francis Lavallee from Rouyn-Noranda photo courtesy of Jonathan L’Heureux of infosportquebec
Quebec got on the board scoring in shorthanded during a penalty to right winger Dmitry Buynitskiy. Yanick Turcotte wrist shot being saved by Titan goaltender the rebound taken by Olivier Garneau pushed it behind Francis Lavallee at 5:51.
Acadie-Bathurst replied 52 seconds later with their first power play goal as first shot by Daniil Miromanov shot was partially saved by Quebec goalie. As Booth was unable to keep the rebound Dawson Theede only had to push the puck behind Remparts netminder at 6:43.
Quebec came back scoring the next two goals bringing back both teams to square one. Defenseman Darien Kielb beat Titan goaltender with wrist shot from the slot at 9:52. Stealing puck to Acadaie-Bathurst player Dmitry Buynitskiy made great pass to Philipp Kurashev scoring his third of the year at 13:47.
Quebec took the lead for first time in the game; taking a shot on Titan goalie Yanick Turcotte saw his teammate Olivier Garneau took the rebound to score his second of the game at 17:56.
“For sure after the first period we have had good speech but I think it started with Drapeau fight, it brought energy to everyone it gave us the momentum. Starting there we did everything right,” Quebec center Olivier Garneau said near the Quebec locker room.
“When we work hard it is the proof we can beat great team.” Continued Garneau.
1- Quebec forward Jonathan Bourcier (26) can play better as he was left on bench several shift by Quebec head coach Philippe Boucher photo courtesy of Jonathan L’Heureux of infosportquebec
Philipp Kurashev came back 17 seconds later scoring his second of the game giving Quebec a two-goal lead.
For European forward Philipp Kurashev he was really happy after the game as he played better as the season goes on but for him getting physical made some difference in Quebec face. It turned things around for his team.
“I think we get physical and the fight from Draps (Alexandre Drapeau) and it started.” Admitted the author of two goals Philipp Kurashev.
Quebec defenseman Ross McDougall completed the scoring in an empty net for Quebec sixth goal in the game at 18:13 of the third period. For McDougall it was his second of the season.
Quebec involved in another trade. After Quebec Remparts General Manager and head coach Philippe Boucher made the acquisition of 20 years old forward Jonathan Bourcier last week from the Acadie-Bathurst Titan, Philippe Boucher announced another trade on last Monday.
For Acadie-Bathurst head coach Mario Pouliot he was the first to admit his team did lots of mistakes and even if he didn’t want to mention anyone it was easy to guess who he was talking about.
Quebec left winger Yanick Turcotte (17) ends his game with two assists photo courtesy of Jonathan L’Heureux of infosportquebec
“We played very very well, our goaltender made the saves, we didn’t give anything we frustrated their best players. If you look who scores their goals it was Turcotte line Garneau, ever if their Euro scored it wasn’t them who made the difference,” Titan head coach Pouliot said.
“We didn’t have the kind of team where we could relax to go far from our identity. It began fast in second when we had the advantage, we tried to make a play that we didn’t want to do. The game was fair on that cause they (Quebec) scored on that, but after that we refused to put the puck behind their back. We didn’t play with emergency. They took advantage with three-on-two two-on-one driving to the net and our goalie never had any chances.”
Quebec head coach has been the first to recognize his team didn’t start the way he wanted.
“We really didn’t wanted to start the way we did at home, we didn’t play with energy, sometimes we have to talk higher asking to Yanick to give the momentum and ask all other to follow. Yanick did it, Drapeau help us in his own way injecting energy with what he did. “Rempart head coach Philippe Boucher said.
Quebec right winger (18) trying to escapeAcadie-Bathurst center Rodrigo Abols photo courtesy of Jonathan L’Heureux of infosportquebec
“It was our team that play in second and third.” Boucher said.
Quebec General Manager announced the acquisition of Rimouski defenseman Andrew Pico from the Rimouski. Oceanic. Pico played only five games with the QMJHL team before leaving the team to continue with the Campbelton Tigers in Maritimes Junior A. In return Quebec sent a 3rd round selection 2017.
Coming from Marystone Terre-Neuve the 5th round (90th overall) by Rimouski will play his first game with Quebec as an affiliate player against his former Rimouski on Saturday.
Quebec next game will be this Friday in Videotron Center hosting the Roun-Noranda Huskies.
Four other games were on QMJHL schedule on Wednesday night
Victoriaville 8 vs. Drummondville 2
Moncton 4 vs. Rouyn-Noranda 3
Shawinigan 3 vs. Gatineau 4
Cape Breton 6 vs. Rimouski 3
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